As Haise layed there, the pain that was present earlier had started to disappear.
'weird… I was slashed and stabbed by how many times?'
He looked under his robes to find out.
'my wounds… they're gone?!'
His eyes widened. It couldn't be….
He was regenerating.
The cuts that once burned on his body, the stab that nearly pierced through his side—vanished, like they were never there. His skin was smooth, untouched, only his tattered robes were a reminder of the brutal fight that had just occurred.
He stayed laying there in disbelief, staring up at the overcast sky, his breath still ragged. Wind howled faintly through the trees nearby, the faint scent of blood mixing with earth and smoke. His sword lay a few feet from him, stained with the blood of the fallen soldiers.
He didn't even notice the sound of footsteps approaching until a voice broke through the silence.
"Are you alright?!"
Haise turned his head. The beastkin was there, his feline features twisted with concern as he knelt beside him.
"I'm… alright…"
He sat up with the beastkin's help, his limbs shaky but functional. He wiped some dried blood from his cheek, dusting himself off as he stood unsteadily. His gaze drifted to the three lifeless bodies scattered across the ground.
"We need to go before more imperial soldiers arrive… you know where Blackreach is, right?"
The beastkin nodded quickly, his ears twitching.
"Yes, it's only a mile from here. Follow me."
The beastkin signaled him to follow suit, and the two slipped back into the forested path, staying low as they moved.
…..
…..
…..
The beastkin led the way through the rocky terrain, ducking under low branches and leaping over gnarled roots. His movements were agile, quick, but there was a subtle tremble in the way he moved. Fear hadn't left him. Not after what he'd just witnessed.
Haise followed behind, one hand gripping the hilt of his sword tightly, the other pressed against his chest. His breaths were deep, but controlled. His heartbeat had slowed—but his thoughts hadn't.
'this isn't normal'
'no ordinary man could regenerate like this…'
He pressed his fingers where the wound used to be. Nothing. Not even a scar.
'was it because of the dragon soul I absorbed back in Blackreach?'
The memory surged back—Matilda, the flames, the roar, the moment he lost control.
Something inside him had changed that day. And now… it was growing stronger.
"Fangshade is just ahead."
The beastkin said, pointing toward a ridge where rooftops peeked between the trees.
Haise snapped out of his thoughts, his eyes following the direction the beastkin pointed. Smoke curled gently into the sky—not from fire, but from chimneys. Signs of life. Civilization.
He nodded silently, exhaling.
"If you don't mind… can I ask what your business is in Fangshade?"
The beastkin asked hesitantly, glancing over his shoulder. His tail flicked once, nervously.
Haise paused for a moment. He could've lied. But something about the beastkin—his fear, his honesty—made Haise feel like he could trust him.
"I was sent by the Arl of Blackreach,"
he said quietly
"to deal with a dragon spotted in Fangshade."
The beastkin's eyes widened, his ears lowering as he looked at Haise with a mix of surprise and fear.
"Ah… that problem. Yes. There have been rumors. A dragon flying above Fangshade, screeching at night. Some say it circles the town. Others say it perches in the mountains east of here."
He looked forward again, his voice dropping.
"They say it hasn't attacked yet… but it's only a matter of time."
Haise's gaze hardened.
"It seems as though we've arrived!"
The beastkin exclaimed as in the distance, a huge wall came into view.
It looked bleak… too bleak.
Faded stone, chipped and worn by time and weather, loomed in the morning haze. Banners once proud now hung tattered and dulled. The air felt dense, as if the wind itself carried the weight of something unspoken.
Haise could tell, even from that distance—Fangshade was currently embroiled in panic and turmoil.
The tension was almost tangible.
The two of them started to walk towards Fangshade, silence falling between them. Neither spoke, but both were clearly bracing for what problem might lie ahead.
…..
…..
…..
"State your business."
A guard barked, stepping forward from the gate with narrowed eyes. He looked tired, paranoid. His armor was dusty, and his grip on his spear was tense.
"I'm here to see the Arl of Fangshade."
Haise said plainly.
The guards exchanged looks, one of them disappearing behind the gate. A few seconds passed before he returned, giving a short nod.
"Alright. The Arl's home is just ahead."
T
he first guard said as the great wooden doors of Fangshade creaked open.
A slow groan echoed through the air as the gates parted, revealing the town within.
The two stepped in.
From what Haise could see, Fangshade was a small town—smaller than even Blackreach. Cramped stone buildings lined the narrow roads, and the streets were filled with uneasy murmurs. People moved quickly, eyes lowered, and guards were stationed at nearly every corner.
Shutters were closed. Some windows were boarded.
It wasn't just fear—it was anticipation.
"It seems as though this is where we part ways."
The beastkin said, stopping in front of a side alley.
"Oh… yeah. Where will you be staying?"
Haise asked.
"I'll be staying at an inn here, you can come and visit once you're done with your escapade."
The beastkin said with a small smile on his face.
Haise smiled faintly, and the two shook hands.
A bond had been formed—brief, but real.
Haise could tell.
He's found a friend.
As he walked through the winding paths of Fangshade, his boots echoing softly on stone, something caught his attention.
A group—men cladded in armor. But unlike the town guards, their armor was darker, mismatched, and poorly maintained. Their stances were loose, cocky. Their expressions? Too confident.
They didn't look like guards.
They looked like trouble.
Haise narrowed his eyes, slowing slightly.
'this could be trouble'
The group whispered among themselves, their eyes scanning him briefly before turning away and disappearing down another path.
'weird'
Haise thought to himself, but didn't stop.
He continued on, now in the plaza of Fangshade.
Vendors surrounded him—some shouting, some whispering, some just standing by.
Stalls were stocked with food, weapons, and strange items, all being offered with desperate energy. A few looked at him, hopeful. Others ignored him completely.
But Haise paid no mind.
He had a mission.
Haise continued on, now being seeing large tree with priests surrounding it. He figured that it must be central to this town. He continued on until he found arl's home.
Haise continued on, now noticing a large, ancient tree towering near the center of the town.
Priests in white and gold robes surrounded it, some praying, others placing small offerings at its roots. There was an air of reverence to the way they moved—slow, deliberate, and careful.
He figured it must be central to the town.
A symbol. A guardian. Or maybe something older.
He didn't stop to ask.
Haise pressed forward, his eyes scanning until they finally settled on a structure that clearly stood out. The Arl's home.
It loomed ahead, elegant yet imposing. A long flight of stone stairs led up toward it, flanked by streams of water that ran gently along carved channels on either side.
He sighed.
It was going to be a long walk.
One step at a time, Haise ascended. The weight of his sword felt heavier now, or maybe it was just the gravity of the moment settling in.
As he reached the top of the stairs, he found himself standing before a bridge—arched and narrow—leading directly to the front entrance.
He stared at it in disbelief.
"Who even does this?"
Haise muttered under his breath.
'If Matilda was here, I'm sure she would've commented on how unpractical all of this is…'
He thought to himself, and a small laugh escaped his mouth.
Finally, he stood before the entrance.
The doors were tall, carved with sigils he didn't recognize. He pushed one open with both hands.
It gave way to a wide hall—vaulted ceilings, rows of chandeliers dimly lit, and people.
Many people.
Warriors, advisors, robed figures… different kinds. Some glanced up at his entrance. Others whispered to one another.
Their attention was drawn to the newcomer.
Haise stepped forward with quiet confidence, his boots echoing on the marble floor as he made his way to the center.
There, seated on a high seat with a fur-lined cloak draped over his shoulders, was the Arl of Fangshade.
Before Haise could speak, a voice cut through the murmurs.
"State your business!"
A woman clad in iron armor stepped in front of him, her hand resting on the hilt of her blade.
Haise didn't flinch.
"My name is Haise Sasaki. I was sent by the Arl of Blackreach to help you in this dragon problem of yours."
The hall went still.
Whispers erupted.
The name Sasaki had not been uttered in these lands for centuries.
A noble line, long thought extinguished.
Heads turned. Eyes widened.
The Arl of Fangshade sat up straighter in his seat, his gaze sharpening as it met Haise's.
"Very well... shall we get started?"
The Arl said, voice calm but curious.
Haise gave a small nod.
His escapade in Fangshade was about to begin.